Whilst his club may be taking their time to get going, Ruben Neves has taken the Premier League by storm.
Everyone was baffled when he joined Wolves a year ago, as his reputation was comfortably that of a Premier League (even Champions League) player. Then he absolutely dominated the Championship and helped Wolves rise into the Premier League, and now he’s here he’s settled in so quickly there’s already rumours of big clubs circling.
But just who is Ruben Neves, exactly? And how does he play? Don’t worry if you’re unaware, we’ve got the answers:
The story so far
Ruben Neves joined Porto at the age of 8. From the get-go he was a obviously a quality talent and progressed through the youth team and out on loan with Padroense FC too. At 17 he was surprisingly called into pre-season by then-coach Julen Lopetegui, and was so impressive there that he stayed with the first team for 2014/15.
Neves began the season playing regularly in the Primeira Liga and Champions League (breaking records for “youngest appearance” wherever he went). A year later, when he was 18, he actually captained the side in the Champions League. He was the youngest to ever captain in the competition’s history, but it was not a burden that stifled his performances.
Then in summer 2017, with financial trouble forcing Porto’s hand, they had to sell their prized asset. Jorge Mendes pushed things through, helping to direct him to Wolves, a club where he had amassed a great deal of control. Neves settled in quickly, and brought Wolves up.
Playing style
Ruben Neves is a passing machine. He has drawn comparisons to Xavi, a pint-sized playmaker at the heart of midfield. But if you see the way his game has developed, perhaps in truth he is more similar to another Barcelona legend; Deco. He can keep the ball ticking over nicely in midfield, but he’s really at his best when he opens things up.
Neves’ passing range is spectacular, and it has helped him settle into life in England. Last season in the Championship he completed 362 long balls, which is 71 more than any other outfield player in the division.
This season so far, he has completed 20 long balls, which is more than any other player in the Premier League – and when you consider that second and third belong to Virgil Van Dijk and David Luiz, you realise the quality of player Neves is now competing with. Moreover, Neves has completed 41 passes into the final third, which is fifth overall amongst Premier League players.
But it’s not just passing, Ruben Neves can shoot. This is where the similarities with Deco really come home, as Neves is absolutely deadly from range. He’s scored 11 goals in his career and 10 of them have come from outside the box. He’s already smashed one goal in from distance this season, and you can bet there’s more where that came from.
Manchester looming
All this excellence is bound to attract interest from the biggest teams around, and unsurprisingly both Manchester clubs are rumoured to be looking at Neves with an eye to a possible transfer. This makes a tonne of sense for both clubs, really.
For United, the need for a central midfielder who can pass the ball quickly is obvious. Nemanja Matic is a great defender but moves the ball on slowly, adding Neves to United’s midfield would give Fred some help at the base whilst energising Paul Pogba further forward. And as Neves is a Jorge Mendes client, and United have strong links with Mendes, this move seems plausible.
City is a more tenuous link in terms of agent contacts, but tactically it makes even more sense. Pep Guardiola’s side are crying out for a new passing midfielder to go at the base of midfield, having missed out on both Fred and Jorginho this summer. Neves definitely fits the profile they are after, and given his young age and potential ceiling it’s mouth-watering to consider how fast he could develop under Guardiola.
The post Ruben Neves’ playing style explained – why has Mendes’ most prized asset attracted Manchester’s gaze appeared first on Squawka News.
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